FG Weighs In On Nigerians In Ukraine Crisis, Takes One Bold Step.
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The federal government of Nigeria has organised psychosocial trauma therapy for Nigerians who returned from warring Ukraine.
The federal government emphasised the need for this therapy through the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). This is a unit headed by retired journalist, Abike Dabiri Erewa.
Speaking during the session organised by NIDCOM and National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and Project Victory Call Initiative, she emphasised the need for this therapy.
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According to her, some of these returnees have witnessed various forms of trauma that are detrimental to their mental health.
Since the war between Ukraine and Russia broke out in February, Nigerians had tussled to leave the European country.
She said that contacts would be traced through experts so that other Nigerians receive this treatment.
Abike Dabiri alleged that other Nigerians who chose to seek shelter in Polland are being held in detention. She alleged that contrary to the local White Europeans, black Africans are not treated kindly.
She stated:
“Some Nigerians who went to Poland were locked up in detention centres under terrible conditions; this is unacceptable, everybody should reject it.
“They are being detained because of the colour of their skin; white people were not locked up. It is very wrong, it is racist and unacceptable.”
The NIDCOM boss sent an open message to the Polish leader to release Nigerians and other Africans in detention.
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Reacting to Dabiri’s claim, the President of Nigerian Students in Ukraine, Fehintola Moses among others narrated their ordeal following the war.
They all said they were emotionally drained and suffered major trauma before they were evacuated.
The First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Polish Embassy in Nigeria, Joanna Poplawska-Lilumbi, has reacted.
She described Dabiri’s allegations as disinformation aimed at weakening and discrediting the image of Poland and Ukraine.
Her words:
“I would like to firmly stress that those allegations are not true. Spreading the narrative about the alleged segregation of refugees from Ukraine based on race or religion may be an element of disinformation, aimed at discrediting and weakening the image of Ukraine and Poland.
“Faced with threats to the security of Europeans, emotionally charged messages should be treated with extreme caution by checking their sources and avoiding the spread of unverified information.”
Source: PUNCH Health Wise
